The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1887-03-02
SHEEP D~ISTEMPER

manu- eP'zootlc catarrh, described by
Tellor in his work on "Diseasos ~
Live Stock as an epidemic atfect;on
occurring chiefly in late Winter aO%
early Spring, accompanied by Severn
congestion and inflammation Of tte
lining membrane of the nasal c~av;t;a,
the Inflammation some times extend
ing to the stomach and bownI'
The aus Of the disease is thouvht
to be due to atmospheric conditions
1t is believed generally to prevail
most extensively in wet open WIN
ters. Sudden and extreme chanrn,
of temperature are believed to tendto
its development. Flocks confined
in poorly ventilated quarters are
most likely to be attacked. and
among such the disease proves most
fatal. 1t also seems more liable to
prevail during Winters when the
snow comes upon the ground early.
1t is estimated by those who have
investigated the matter thoroughly
that a greater number of sheep die
In this country from sheep distemp-
er than from all other maladies com
bined. The first symptom of the
disease is a slight watery DISCHARGE
from the nostrils and eyes. The
latter are partially closed and paIer
than usual. The victim appears
dull and does not eat it's usual
allowance or with it's accustomed
relish. The pulse is not quickened
but is weaker than usual. There is
no cough and the breathing is not
affected except where the disease is
associated with bronchitis. The
symptoms gradually becomemorese-
we're, and in about a week from the
time of the attack the affected ami
mails plainly show a loss of flesh and
strength. The discharge from the
nose becomes thick and sticky and
is sometimes tinged with blood.
The eyes are half closed, and the
lids covered with yellow matter.
There is scarcely any appetite, the
pulse can hardly be detected, and
the breathing is difficult. In sheep
which are we'll fed the bowels are
sometimes in a natural condition;
those which have been stinted in a.
lwance and kept upon feed Of poor
quality usually suffer from swollen
and in1amed bowels, accompanied
with disentery, the droppings being
more or less mixed with blood
Constipation is generally apparent
at the beginning, and the disease
usually terminates in from ten to
twelve days from the time the symp-
toms are first manifested. When
the first symptoms appear the flock
should be confined in it's accustomed
quarters, and thoroughly tumigated
by burning roll birthstone in the
apartments. Care must be used to
have ample ventilation, as the sui
phurous acid gas. though beneficial
in small quantities, is deadly poison.
This part Of the labor cannot be
trusted to careless or indifferent
help, as such would be likely to burn
the buildings. Two iron kettles,
one considerably larger than the
other, with a few shoveltuls OF live
hardwood Goals in the latter-char-
coal is better-and a skillet or old
frying pan containing the birthstone,
with an old wooden blanket to throw
over the Goals when carrying to and
from the sheep barn, so as to pre-,
vent any possibility of the wind
blowing sparks from the live emberS
into the NOW, r all the implements
necessary to insure ucces Inc
fumigation should be continued
about twenty minutes at a time
morning and night, for 4 few days
Unless there is too much ventilation
the gas will cause the sheep to
sneeze, and clear their. nostrils from
the mucus lodged in the nasal pas
sages. Some recommend blowing
snuff up their nostrils for this pur-
pose, but the sulphurous acid gas IS
far more beneficial. Little benefit
has generally been derived by the
use of internal remedies. The well,
known author of the "Practlcal
Shepherd" Henry S. Randall, be-
lieves that he has derived advantages
from the use of corrosive subllmate'
prepared as follows: Corrosive sub
Innate, eight grains; rhubarb, one
ounce ginger, two ounces gentlal''
two ounces. Simmer the rhubarD,
ginger and gentian in a quart OF
water for fifteen minutes, then STRAIN
and add the corrosive sublimate.